Irradiating tube



`lan. 4, 1.944.

s. c` WHITMAN IRRADIATING TUBE Original Filed April 4, 1941 PatentedJan. 4, 1944 IRRADIATING TUBE Stewart C. Whitman, deceased, late of NewYork,

N. Y., by Helen York, N. Y.

Whitman,

administratrix, New

Original application April 4, 1941, Serial No. 386,936. Divided and thisapplication October 29, 1941, Serial No. 417,039

2 claims. (01. 25o-4s) This application is a division of an applicationled April 4, 1941, Serial No. 386,936, by the said Stewart C. Whitman,deceased.

This invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiating unit especiallydesigned for the irradiation of beer, wine, milk, soft drinks, Water andother liquids.

The main object of the invention is to provide a unit of this characterwhich is simple of construction, reliable and efficient in action,adapted to be operated at either high or low voltage and at low costandwhereby the liquid to be treated while in course of flow may besubjected in a most effective manner to the sterilizing action ofultraviolet rays. A further object of the invention is to provide anovel construction of unit of this character which adapts the unit to bemade so as to act upon the liquid while it is flowing in a manner bestsuited for a particular purpose.

The invention consists in a liquid sterilizing unit embodying certainnovel features of construction, combination and arrangement of partshereinafter fully described and claimed, and as shown in theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through one form of sterilizerembodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a similar view of another form of sterilizer embodying theinvention.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

In carrying the invention into practice, as shown in Fig. 1, thesterilizer comprises an ultraviolet tube I having enlarged terminalportions 2 and 3 and an elongated intermediate cylindrical body portion4 formed of glass having high transmission of ultraviolet. Surroundingthe cylindrical portion 4 is an outer cylinder 5 forming therewith anannular channel through which liquid may flow in contact with theportion 4 of the tube. An inlet connection 6 for coupling engagementwith a supply conductor 'l is pro- Voided at one end of the annularchannel, and an outlet connection 8 for coupling connection with adischarge conductor 9 is provided at the opposite end of the channel.Crater electrodes IIJ and II are respectively arranged in the enlargedterminal portions 2 and 3, and suitably supported by one of theseelectrodes is a mercury containing cup I2. Arranged at the opposite endsof the tube are screw bases or plugs I3 and I4 whereby the sterilizermay be mounted in position upon a suitable support and connected with asuitable source of electric energy. In the operation of this sterilizerliquid owing from the conductor 1 through the inlet 6 into the upper endof the annular channel flows downwardly therein in the form of acomparatively thinpannular stream in contact with the body 4 of theultraviolet tube I whereby the liquid in its ow is effectivelyirradiated. 'I'he capacity or area of the channel may be such that apredetermined amount of liquid to be subjected to irradiation Within agiven time may be passed through'the tube, so that either continuousirradiationA ata given rate or intermittent irradiation of regulatedamounts of the liquid may be eiected.l 'I'his form of device isespecially adapted for the irradiating of beer, Wines, soit drinks,water and other beverages, but is also applicable for a variety of otherpurposes. For irradiating beer, this form of tube, by the passage of thebeer in a thin layer over the ultraviolet transmitting surface of thetube, irradiates the beer in a thorough manner, as tests show that beeris relatively' opaque to ultraviolet radiation which penetrates only ashort distance into such liquid. By governing the amount of liquidsubjected to irradiation at a time and controlling the time period ofirradiation, beer and other liquids 'maybe thoroughly irradiatedwithoutv imparting a musty taste or odor or other objectionable taste orodor or causing color changes of the liquids.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 2 and 3, a sterilizer Iasimilar in many respects to that shown in Fig. 1 is disclosed. Thissterilizer I a comprises an ultraviolet tube having expanded terminalportions 2a and 3a and an elongated cylindrical intermediate or bodyportion 4a. Surrounding the body portion 4a is a liquid conductor 5aforming therewith a liquid ow channel. At the upper end of this flowchannel is a liquid inlet connection 6a for coupling engagement with asupply conductor 'Ia and at the lower end of the channel is an outletconnection 8a for coupling engagement with a discharge' conductor 9a.Arranged in the enlarged terminal portions 2a and 3a are craterelectrodes Illa and IIa, and suitably supported by the crater electrodeIIa, is a mercury containing cup I2a. The liquid conductor 5a in thisform of the invention is of non-uniform diameter and comprises spacedbead-like or enlarged portions I5 arranged in alternation with andconnected by straight cy-v lindrical portions I6. The beaded portionsare preferably formed as surfaces of revolution by revolving a circulararc about the axis of the ultraviolet tube, and the straight portionsconnect adjacent ends of these arcs. There is thereby formed between thebody portion of the ultralect in comparatively quiet pools in the beadsor lof enlargements l5 ilow of the liquid at a compara'- tively lowvelocity period of exposure to the ultraviolet radiation.

This form of the device allowsthe lowof'liquidx to be retarded atintervals in the beaded p'OrlOnS, so that a longer period of exposuremay be obtained than can be obtained. with thetype of tube shown in Fig.l.

Both forms of sterilizers provide for the comparatively rapidirradiation of the liquid andthe irradiation of the liquid in a mosteffective manner so that when. discharged through the outlet 8 or 8a itwill be sterile.- Sterilizers of these forms may be individually usedVfor sterilizing 'liquid or may be employed in any suitable nu ber in asterilizing apparatus or liquid sterilizing and bottlel lling machine sothat a desired number of sterilizers may be operated at the same time orconnected with a common source or en ergy, allowing rapidV sterilizationof liquids for bottling purposes in an economical manner.

While the structures disclosed for purposes of exemplication arepreferred, it will, of course, bei understood that changes in the form,construction and arrangement of the parts, other than those disclosed,may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of theadvantages of the invention.

, What is claimed. as new and patentable is:

1. An ultraviolet irradiating tube having the general form of a dumbbelland comprising an envelope consisting of a continuouslyA straight bodyportion of an even diameter throughout its length and terminating inlaterally expanded end portions forming electrode chambers ofappreciably greater diameter than the body portion, a casing surroundingthe body portion of the is provided for to increase its :the axis of theenvelope to and passing through outer ends of the elecenvelope,coaxially therewith, and extending between and being integrallyconnected with and supported by inner portions of the electrode chambersand of less diameter than the electrode chambers, the casing beingspaced radially from said body portion to provide a flow channeltherebetween about the body portion, connections at the ends of thecasing for the supply of liquid `to and discharge of said liquid fromsaid channel, crater electrodes disposed in the electrode chambersconcentrically thereto in longitudinal alignment with each other and inthe line with and terminal plugs xed trode chambers and coaxial with thelatter and said envelope` said plugs forming reinforcements for theouterwalls of the electrode chambers and being in electrical connectionwith and supporting said electrodes.

2. An ultraviolet irradiating tube having the general form of a dumbbelland comprising an envelope consisting of a continuously straight bodyportion terminating in laterally Vexpanded end portions formingelectrode chambers, a casing surrounding the body portion of theenvelope, coaxially therewith, and extending between and being connectedwith and supported by the electrode chambers, said casing being spacedfrom the envelope to orrnftherewith a liquid flow channel and beingformed from end to end thereof with regularly spaced alternatelyarranged globular portions and straight cylindrical portions alternatelywidening and constricting said channel, connections at the ends of thecasing for the supply of liquid to and discharge of the liquid from saidchannel, crater electrodes disposed in the electrode chambers inlongitudinal alinement with each other and in the line of the axis ofthe envelope, and terminal plugs fixed to and reinforcing the outerwalls of the electrode chambers and in electrical connection with andsupporting the electrodes.

HELEN WHITMAN, Administratrix of the Estate of Stewart C. Whitman,Deceased.

